Tom Cary examines the implications of Ferrari's proposal to protest against an
alleged infringement by Sebastian Vettel at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

What is all the fuss about? The destination of the drivers’ championship (which is the prestigious one, as opposed to the more valuable constructors’ championship, which determines who gets what in terms of prize money). Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso lost it by just three points to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel after ﬁnishing second in Brazil last Sunday. In a dramatic race, featuring plenty of yellow flags, inclement weather and two safety car periods, the German finished seventh. However, footage from Vettel’s on-board camera has since emerged on the internet which appears to show the German overtaking Jean – Eric Vergne, of sister team Toro Rosso, under yellow flags.

What would that mean? The suggestion is that the infringement, if it is proved, could earn Vettel a 20 – second post – race penalty, in lieu of a drive – through, relegating him to eighth position – enough to hand the title to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by a single point.

Is the infringement cut and dry? Not at all. Replays also appear to show a marshal in the marshal's post waving a green flag before Vettel passes the Frenchman, which would override the warning signs on Vettel's steering wheel display, which are visible throughout. The Red Bull driver is believed to be confident that he saw green flags being waved.

Why did it take so long for this to come out? The footage comes from Vettel's on – board camera and was only shown on interactive channels rather than the main international 'world feed'. Neither the race stewards nor Ferrari acted on the footage at the time. We don’t know whether either party was aware of the incident. But it has been building up a head of steam online, mainly in Spain and Italy initially – until Ferrari admitted they were looking at it.

What happens now? In theory, the FIA stewards have already published the final race classification. However, Article 179b of the International Sporting Code states that appeals can be lodged up until Nov 30 – Friday – if "a new element is discovered" which could affect the championship. The FIA could then reconvene the stewards from Brazil – or others – “to hear any relevant explanations and to judge in the light of the facts and elements brought before them." Following confirmation from Ferrari that they have written to the FIA requesting clarification on Vettel's controversial move, we await a response from the governing body.

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Who decides whether an appeal needs to be heard? Either Ferrari could bring it to the attention of the FIA, ie lodge a protest, or the FIA might commence proceedings independently. Of course, the matter has already been brought to the governing body’s attention thanks to the scores of websites running the on-board footage, and to Ferrari’s public statement that they are “evaluating” it.

What would the public reaction be if the championship is overturned? Sensational, to put it mildly. Formula One already has a reputation for shooting itself in both feet from a PR point of view, but this would be on another level. It would be Formula One’s version of awarding the 1966 World Cup to West Germany one week after the final because some replays suggested the ball was out of play before the throw-in which eventually led to England’s crucial third. Vettel has already been back to Red Bull's factory in Milton Keynes to parade the trophy and to speak to the world's media. It would be a farce.

What about the reaction from within the sport? It would certainly go down badly – other than with diehard tifosi – but F1 fans are used to this sort of chicanery. Rules are rules and Ferrari are theoretically within their rights to try to overturn the result, even if it may seem unsporting. Red Bull would almost certainly sue if the championship was taken away from Vettel. There is no way of knowing whether a penalty at the time – if there was indeed any infringement – would affected the German's finishing position since there was a later safety car which bunched the field. Either way, it reflects badly on the FIA, who did not act at the time and have not put a halt to the growing intrigue.

Has this sort of penalty been applied before? Yes. In 2001 in Melbourne Kimi Raikkonen won his first championship point after Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld complained after the race that Olivier Pains had overtaken under yellow. Team manager Beat Zehnder asked the stewards to investigate. The Frenchman got a penalty, and Raikkonen moved up to sixth.